Jones Soda Taps Former PepsiCo Exec to be President & CEO

June 9, 2023

David Knight, former Gatorade/PepsiCo V.P. and co-founder of CBD-based beverage company, will take the reins of Jones Soda Co., effective June 23.

Andy Hanacek

Jones Soda Co. has named David Knight to the position of president and CEO, effective June 23, to replace Mark Murray, who plans to retire. Knight most recently served as CEO and co-founder of SX Latin Liquors and chief beverage officer for CFH Ltd. He also previously served as vice president of Marketing Gatorade International for PepsiCo International, and in executive roles for Quaker Oats and eBay Inc.

SX Latin Liquors developed and launched a line of Latin spirits during his time there, and Knight built a beverage division, including CBD-based products, from the ground up at CFH Ltd.

Murray will retire as president and CEO but remain on the board of directors. Knight is expected to continue to build Jones Soda’s product lines, particularly the Mary Jones brand of cannabis products that launched under Murray’s watch.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.